News / National
Mwaruwari back at Portsmouth
27 Sep 2020 at 07:26hrs | Views
Portsmouth favourite Benjani Mwaruwari is back at Fratton Park although the ever popular striker is completing his coaching badges with the Blues' Under16s rather than earmarked to rediscover the first team's goal touch.
Now aged 42, Benjani is assist ing Shaun North in coaching sessions on a twice weekly basis to meet Uefa A licence criteria.
The former Zimbabwe inter national is scheduled to remain with Pompey for another six weeks, enabling him to fulfil requirements of 40 hours practical work.
Benjani, who scored 20 goals in 94 games during his Fratton Park career, is eyeing a coaching career, either in England or in his native Zimbabwe.
Initially Mwaruwari appeared to have set his sights on a career in administration after announcing plans to contest for the Zifa presidency in 2015, but withdrew his candidacy a month before the elections.
The former Zimbabwe captain, who retired from professional football in 2013, reckons his decision was a blessing in disguise as it allowed him to broaden his knowledge after deciding to attain his coaching badges.
The former Manchester City, Blackburn Rovers and Ports mouth striker should have completed this attachment for his Uefa A licence coaching certificate a couple of months ago, but he was affected by the disruptions caused by the coronavirus pandemic.
In a recent interview, Mwaruwari confirmed that he is half way through the coaching course and was only waiting for the practicals.
"At the moment I'm also do ing my coaching classes, and I'm halfway through my Uefa A. I'm just waiting for the practicals. I'm attached at Portsmouth, and hopefully, by September we will wrap it up," Mwaruwari told South African sportscaster Robert Marawa on his show Marawa Sports Worldwide recently.
Based in Ringwood, a mar ket town in southwest Hampshire, England, he has retained close links with his former club through son Benjani junior, who is on Pompey's books.
The youngster, also a striker, represents the Under16 side his father is presently coaching.
Benjani arrived at Pompey in January 2006 from French side Auxerre and went on to feature prominently in the Great Escape under Harry Redknapp.
After being sold to Manchester City in February 2008, he re turned to the Blues for a second spell in August 2011, lasting the season.
He remains an endearingly popular figure among the Fratton faithful, who respected his work ethic and embraced that iconic goal celebration.
Mwaruwari's former club are currently on the long road back from the brink after dropping to the three relegations, two administrations, and more owners than most clubs have in a lifetime in recent years.
Following their League Two championship win in the 201617 season, the 2008 FA Cup winners are currently in their fourth successive season in EFL League One.
Now aged 42, Benjani is assist ing Shaun North in coaching sessions on a twice weekly basis to meet Uefa A licence criteria.
The former Zimbabwe inter national is scheduled to remain with Pompey for another six weeks, enabling him to fulfil requirements of 40 hours practical work.
Benjani, who scored 20 goals in 94 games during his Fratton Park career, is eyeing a coaching career, either in England or in his native Zimbabwe.
Initially Mwaruwari appeared to have set his sights on a career in administration after announcing plans to contest for the Zifa presidency in 2015, but withdrew his candidacy a month before the elections.
The former Zimbabwe captain, who retired from professional football in 2013, reckons his decision was a blessing in disguise as it allowed him to broaden his knowledge after deciding to attain his coaching badges.
The former Manchester City, Blackburn Rovers and Ports mouth striker should have completed this attachment for his Uefa A licence coaching certificate a couple of months ago, but he was affected by the disruptions caused by the coronavirus pandemic.
In a recent interview, Mwaruwari confirmed that he is half way through the coaching course and was only waiting for the practicals.
Based in Ringwood, a mar ket town in southwest Hampshire, England, he has retained close links with his former club through son Benjani junior, who is on Pompey's books.
The youngster, also a striker, represents the Under16 side his father is presently coaching.
Benjani arrived at Pompey in January 2006 from French side Auxerre and went on to feature prominently in the Great Escape under Harry Redknapp.
After being sold to Manchester City in February 2008, he re turned to the Blues for a second spell in August 2011, lasting the season.
He remains an endearingly popular figure among the Fratton faithful, who respected his work ethic and embraced that iconic goal celebration.
Mwaruwari's former club are currently on the long road back from the brink after dropping to the three relegations, two administrations, and more owners than most clubs have in a lifetime in recent years.
Following their League Two championship win in the 201617 season, the 2008 FA Cup winners are currently in their fourth successive season in EFL League One.
Source - Sports Reporter/The News (Portsmouth)
